Summer brought us on our most out-of-this-world adventure yet: an Alien Junior Ranger journey across the Southwest! From ancient pueblos, mysterious ruins and desert skies, we explored National Parks with one eye on nature and one eye on the cosmos. We immersed ourselves in local legends of star people, cosmic mysteries and curious spirals carved into rock walls.
While we didn’t encounter any extraterrestrials (except for my unexpected green transformation from a rogue carwash soap in Colorado), our trip was packed with science, history, and pure imagination. Every grain of sand, every cliff dwelling, every spiral reminded us that the universe isn’t just out there—it’s woven into everything around us.
Navajo National Monument (Arizona)
We began on the Navajo Nation of the Diné People, exploring the Navajo National Monument. Tucked into dramatic canyon alcoves, the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans immediately set the tone for a cosmic adventure. With legends of star people in mind, we imagined the dwellers looking up at the same skies we did, perhaps pondering the same mysteries of the universe.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Arizona)
Next, Canyon de Chelly National Monument felt truly otherworldly. Towering mesas, sandstone cliffs, and the sacred Spider Rock gave the canyon an almost alien presence. Local legends of star people seemed to come alive as we hiked and explored. The Junior Ranger program helped us appreciate both the natural wonders and the human histories intertwined here. Standing on the canyon rim, it was easy to picture the night sky as a playground for both stars and stories.
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (Arizona)
At Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site on the Navajo Nation, we stepped into living history. The trading post was founded in 1878 by John Lorenzo Hubbell, a trader known for his integrity and fairness in dealings with the Navajo people. His ethical approach not only earned him prosperity but also built trust and enduring relationships with the local communities. Today, the trading post is still active, offering visitors a glimpse into Navajo culture.
Leaving the Navajo Nation, we traced the path of the Anasazi, “ancient ones,” the ancestors of Ancestral Puebloans, whom are ancestors of the Navajo, Hopi, and other Nations, towards Chaco Culture National Historical Park, an ancient central gathering hub.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico)
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is shrouded in mystery and monumental architecture, an International Heritage Site that feels like the crossroads of time. The sun and stars dictated the placement of the great kivas, making it the ultimate stop for a cosmic-themed adventure. Junior Rangers explore both the culture and the geology, while we marveled at how humans mapped the heavens with precision long before telescopes. Chaco felt like a portal — bridging earthbound knowledge with the sky above.
Petroglyphs, Spirals, and Cosmic Clues
Throughout our journey, we noticed unusual figures, abstract designs, and spirals at many sites. Some looked like star maps, others like portals—or perhaps just the creative expressions of humans in conversation with the universe. We had seen these symbols before, and they were on display again at the Roswell UFO Museum, our next stop.
Roswell, NM – 4th of July Alien Festival & Alien Museum
Of course, no Alien Junior Ranger Adventure would be complete without Roswell. The festival was a riot of costumes, UFO art, and otherworldly energy. We toured the International UFO Museum, posed with life-size extraterrestrials, and imagined what life on another planet could look like. Posing with life-size extraterrestrials, exploring alien exhibits, and collecting badges, we connected our national park adventures to a playful cosmic theme.
Petroglyph National Monument (New Mexico)
At Petroglyph National Monument, the landscape itself seemed to pulse with cosmic energy. Here, basalt volcanic rock provides the canvas for thousands of ancient petroglyphs, deeply etched spirals, mysterious figures, and abstract shapes. These images, carved into dark basalt surfaces, hint at human fascination with the sky, celestial events, and perhaps portals to other worlds, giving the park its name and sparking endless wonder.
Pecos National Historical Park & Santa Fe National Historic Trail (New Mexico)
Back to traditional history of the Four Corners Region, Pecos National Historical Park gave us a look at the confluence of natural beauty and human history. The ruins sit among grassy hills and blooming wildflowers, teaching Junior Rangers about life along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Hiking here felt like a reconnaissance mission on a new planet — searching for clues of civilizations past while keeping an eye on the horizon for mysterious lights (or just desert sunsets).
Valles Caldera National Preserve (New Mexico)
One of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, Valles Caldera National Preserve was an alien landscape straight out of a science fiction story. Located in the Jemez Mountains, it’s rolling meadow floor sits at 7,000 feet elevation, while its volcanic peaks reach over 11,000 feet. The crater spans 12 to 15 miles, a gigantic depression formed by an eruption 1.2 million years ago. Bubbling springs and abundant elk herds all contribute to the otherworldly scene. Here, we explored geology, wildlife, and ecosystem restoration, and couldn’t help imagine what it would be like if aliens were watching this volcanic playground from above.
Bandelier National Monument (New Mexico)
Bandelier’s cliff dwellings and canyon trails brought history and nature together in a dramatic way. Spring wildflowers peeked from the rocks, with opportunities to climb ladders and explore kivas. We learnt about the ingenuity of the Ancestral Puebloans. It felt like we were adventuring on another world while rooted firmly in ours. It was our last stop at an ancestral Puebloan park. Once again, spirals, geometric shapes, and abstract designs were carved into the soft volcanic tuff or painted on rock surfaces, ancient messages that could almost be cosmic signals.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park (New Mexico)
A completely different kind of alien encounter awaited at Manhattan Project NHP, this time with science. The site’s history of pioneering nuclear research made us feel like explorers on the frontier of human ingenuity. Junior Rangers (and adult fans) could appreciate both the technical lessons and the ethical discussions — a reminder that some adventures are out-of-this-world in ways beyond extraterrestrials.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (Colorado)
The towering dunes at Great Sand Dunes felt like walking on the surface of a distant planet. Spring brought bursts of greenery along the Medano Creek and wildflowers along the edges of the sand, making the landscape feel both alien and alive. Junior Rangers learned about dune formation, wildlife, and hydrology, while we navigated the surreal sandscape — and I discovered, to my horror and amusement, that a van wash soap somewhere in Colorado had turned me green! Truly an otherworldly souvenir.
The Unita Basin / Skinwalker Ranch (Utah)
As we drove home through Colorado Springs and the Uinta Basin, we passed by the UFO campground near Skinwalker Ranch. We were excited to remember that the yearly Phenomecon paranormal in Vernal, UT was coming up in September. While we didn’t see any extraterrestrials, it was the perfect way to close the circle on a trip that blended natural wonders, history, and the playful thrill of imagining alien life. From NVG night sky dreams to green-tinged van mishaps, this adventure reminded us that the universe — and our own backyard — is full of surprises.
